A grandmother says her estate is being abandoned and demolition plans have led to nearly 100 households leaving her community.

Maureen Woodier, 65, from St Hilda's, Middlesbrough, says the area is now almost empty and she no longer sees anyone walk past her front door.

Mrs Woodier's own road, Richmond Street, only has one other occupied house and that belongs to her 38-year-old daughter Belinda.

Middlesbrough Council is clearing St Hilda's ahead of the Middlehaven Development which will attract new businesses to the area.

Latest figures show that since January, 95 private or rented households have left or are leaving and another 37 have accepted offers to go.

Maureen, who lives with her husband Henry, 69, said: "Everyone has gone. Today we have only seen two people walk by our house in seven hours - it never used to be like that. I've lost all my grandkids as well. They have moved to Pallister Park, Cargo Fleet Lane or Priestfields."

The council has begun flattening buildings, with the Fleece pub and Enterprise Centre both being demolished close to the Woodiers' home.

Maureen said: "Every morning when we get up we have to look at that big white fence where the work is going on. It's like living next to a prison."

Councillor Dave Budd, council executive member for regeneration, said there are now only 50 rented and 68 private households left in St Hilda's. He said: "It has been a painful process for the individuals concerned.

"We have met with residents to discuss their concerns and many of them have been environmental issues, such as street cleaning and making the empty properties safe.

"The contract for the first phase of demolition will be let soon which means a block of properties that is empty can be demolished to clear some of those problems.

"If we had looked at this a year ago, we would never have thought we would come this far. Only a handful of people have refused valuations on their homes and there have been no compulsions so far."